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CA Sustainability

College Association, Inc. has a daily focus on reducing and diverting landfill waste and is actively instituting new sustainability measures in all our dining facilities across campus. As outlined by SUNY, we already have or will be replacing single use plastic items with alternative products. We also contribute to the compost site located on campus through daily collection efforts in our food preparation departments. Through a multi-step process, College Association is also able to divert food waste from our dish room, and into a dehydrator that greatly reduces total waste sent to landfills.

Environmental & Economic

• In the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters, 3.79 tons of fruit and vegetable waste was collected and sent to the compost area on campus.
• On average, food waste from the dish room area in Chaney is reduced by 39%(weight) through a dehydration process prior to it being sent to the landfill.
• Reusable take out boxes available in Chaney Dining Center as part of each student’s meal plan. There is also the option for faculty & staff to buy into this program.
• Plastic soda bottles are currently being converted to aluminum cans in all locations.
• Plastic water bottles are being converted to a combination of aluminum and cardboard containers.
• Plastic cutlery will be replaced by compostable equivalents, while also being dispensed from an enclosed dispenser, in single serve form to improve hygiene.
• SUNY Canton branded cups used in our catering department have been transitioned to paper, to replace their plastic predecessors.
• Offices share items such as printers and waste receptacles, to reduce e-waste and reduce usage of items such as paper, toner and ink, and plastic garbage bags.

Social

• Utilize two committees to address both short and long-term needs
  • Student Dining Committee for in-semester adjustments to menus, programs, etc.
  • Food Access group to handle food insecurity and access
• Safety Committee
  • Updated a new companywide Safety Plan in coordination with campus
  • Provide annual funding to employees to purchase nonslip footwear
• Food Access Committee
  • Partner with campus to offer “Swipe it Forward,” Food Access Fund, perishable distribution to Food Pantry, and other wellness initiatives